No-drip frozen dessert packaging

ABSTRACT

A no-drip frozen dessert package is provided, wherein a sealed containment envelope made of a flexible, lightweight material, has first and second lengthwise sections that are engaged at an interface disposed along a circumference of the package. A release actuator disposed along the interface disengages the first section from the second section to allow access to the frozen dessert for consumption, while the second section remains engaged with and disposed around a portion of the frozen dessert. A retainer integral to the second section is configured to catch drops of melted ice cream by maintaining a lateral separation distance between the ice cream itself and an aperture periphery defined by the circumference of the second section&#39;s open end.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/845,045, filed May 8, 2019, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein as if expressly set forth in its respective entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvements in frozen dessert packaging, and particularly relates to a novel frozen dessert wrapper configured to catch drips from the frozen dessert which can be in the form of a melting popsicle, ice cream pop, ice cream sandwich, or any other frozen treat that is sold or provided in a disposable wrapper to facilitate transport and storage up to point of sale or consumption.

BACKGROUND

Ice cream pops and ice cream sandwiches are popular frozen desserts all around the world. These frozen products, typically sweetened with varying amounts of sugar, are often enjoyed at a public accommodation such as a professional sporting event or concert, but they are also just as commonly enjoyed at a backyard barbecue, out by the pool, or even right on a residential street after purchase from the friendly neighborhood ice cream man. While ice cream seems universally popular as a dessert, or even in some cases as a meal, it is also plagued by a universal drawback: the melting of the frozen dessert and the messes it can cause. From the moment it is served, the ice cream begins an inexorable melt whose ultimate outcome is avoided only by consuming the frozen dessert with some amount of gusto, i.e., eating the frozen dessert quickly. However, given the fact that the frozen dessert's melting begins immediately after it leaves the freezer, even wolfing down the frozen dessert still does not guarantee that one will avoid messy drips on the hands that can be quickly transferred to clothing or elsewhere.

What is therefore needed is a solution to the aforementioned problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a no-drip frozen dessert package, wherein the package is comprised to two sections, the first section of which disengages from the frozen dessert when it is about to be eaten while the second section remains in place about a lower portion of the frozen dessert. The second section is configured to catch drops of melted frozen dessert by maintaining a lateral separation distance between the frozen dessert itself and an aperture periphery defined by the edge of the second section's opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a no-drip frozen dessert package according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the package before it is opened.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of a no-drip frozen dessert package according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the package before it is opened.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a no-drip frozen dessert package according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the second section after disengagement of the first section.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a no-drip frozen dessert package according to an embodiment of the present invention, highlighting the retainer integral to the second section.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of a no-drip frozen dessert package according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of a no-drip frozen dessert package according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION CERTAIN OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following disclosure describes embodiments of a no-drip frozen dessert package, specifically, a frozen dessert wrapper that maintains a configuration adapted to catch drops of a melted frozen dessert after the wrapper has been opened. Referring now to FIG. 1, the inventive frozen dessert package 100 is shown prior to being opened. A sealed containment envelope 102 made of a flexible, lightweight material, encloses a frozen dessert within the package. The envelope 102 can be formed of any number of suitable materials, including but not limited to: polypropylene and low density polyethylene (LDPE).

The containment envelope is comprised of two lengthwise sections that together define the complete frozen dessert package that encapsulates the frozen dessert and as described herein the two sections are meant to be easily detached from one another, whereby one section is left behind to capture any drips as the person holds the frozen dessert through the package. A first section 104 is shown which is disposed about the upper portion of a popsicle or an ice cream pop or other frozen dessert, and the first section 104 has a proximal end 106 and a distal end 108. A second section 110 is also shown which is disposed about the lower portion of a popsicle, or an ice cream pop or other frozen dessert, and the second section 110 has a proximal end 112 and a distal end 114. The first section 104 is removed immediately prior to the frozen dessert being eaten. The respective proximal ends 106, 112 of the first and second sections 104, 110 are adjacent to one another and the respective distal ends 108, 114 are disposed at the lengthwise extrema of the containment envelope 102. An interface 116 is defined where the two proximal ends 106, 112 are engaged. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the first section 104 is equivalent to about 60% of the overall length of the package 100 and the second section 110 is equivalent to the remaining 40% of the overall length of the package 100. Alternative embodiments, depending on the specific type of frozen dessert contained within the package, can have the first section 104 extending as much as approximately 80% of the overall length of the package, or as little as approximately 20% of the overall length of the package, with the second section 110 extending the remainder of the overall length in all cases. This length proportion can be within a range of sizes, each tailored to the specific type of frozen dessert in the package, whether it is a popsicle or an ice cream pop on a stick, or an ice cream sandwich with no stick.

The construction of the no-drip frozen dessert package 100 can take a multitude of forms. For the purposes of containment and prevention of contamination, the sealed containment envelope 102 completely encloses the frozen dessert. The containment envelope 102 can be made of a thin, flexible plastic, or even a suitable grade of wax paper or any other conventional material used in this field. The choice of material for the containment envelope 102 requires that the material is strong enough to withstand shipping and handling while being easily opened when it is about to be eaten. The containment envelope 102 must also be liquid-impermeable, both to prevent contamination from outside the package and to keep any melted frozen dessert inside the package, as it often happens that there is a delay between the time that a frozen dessert is removed from the freezer and the time that it is eaten.

The first and second sections 104, 110 of the containment envelope 102 can be manufactured as individual parts which are then engaged at their respective proximal ends 106, 112 to form the interface 116. Alternatively, the sealed containment envelope 102 can be made from a single piece of flexible, lightweight material, wherein the interface 116 that forms the boundary between first and second sections 104, 110 is formed by scoring or perforating the (single structure) containment envelope 102 about its circumference to define a weakened area that can be easily ruptured for separating the two sections 104, 110. The perforation decreases the thickness of the containment envelope 102 along the length of the scoring or perforation to facilitate disengagement of the first and second sections 104, 110 in a clean manner. In this arrangement, the perforation defines a tear line.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the no-drip frozen dessert package 200 includes a release actuator 218 that disengages the first section 204 from the second section 210 to allow access to the frozen dessert for consumption, while the second section 210 remains engaged with and disposed around a portion of the frozen dessert. The release actuator 218 is affixed to the circumference of the containment envelope 202 along the interface 216 of the first and second sections 204, 210. The release actuator includes a pull tab 220 at its non-affixed, free end. The first and second sections 204, 210 may be engaged with one another by a suitable adhesive that will withstand the rigors of shipping and handling while also yielding under a reasonably small-amplitude, deliberate tug or pull that is typical of the force used to open a food package. The release actuator 218 is then affixed along the interface 216 by the same or similar adhesive, such that someone preparing to consume the frozen dessert need only tug the pull tab 220 in a motion that circles about the circumference of the containment envelope 202. The choice of adhesive and the amount applied, to both the interface 216 and to the affixed release actuator 218, is selected to be sufficient to maintain the entire package assembly 200 intact while in transit in the stream of commerce. However, the adhesive and its application must also allow disengagement of the release actuator 218 and respective first and second sections 204, 210 without the need to apply excessive force to the pull tab 220. One end of the release actuator 218 can be fixed to the first section 104 that is ultimately discarded after opening the frozen dessert package.

Referring now to FIG. 3, one exemplary no-drip frozen dessert package 300 of the present invention is shown in side view after it has been opened, wherein the first section 304 has been disengaged and removed and the second section 310 remains disposed about the lower portion of a popsicle or an ice cream pop or other frozen dessert. For ease of illustration and clarity, the contends inside the second section 310 are shown and include the stick of the frozen treat ad well as a lower end of the frozen treat to which the stick is attached. The second section's proximal end 312 is maintained in an open configuration by a retainer 322, while the distal end 314 supports an ice cream stick, or the end of an ice cream sandwich. An ice cream stick can be a projection 315 that is integral to and extends from the distal end 314 of the second section 310, as shown in FIG. 3, wherein a frozen dessert can be frozen about and supported by the projection during consumption of the frozen dessert. Alternatively, the ice cream stick can be freely contained within the second section 310 while being able to be gripped by squeezing the outside of the second section 310. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the stick can have an outwardly extending flange or end retainer that maintains the shape of the second section 310. The flange can be an elongated bar that is oriented perpendicular to the main vertical stick. The flange can be linear or can be oval shaped or other suitable shape. This alternative construction resembles the traditional form in which frozen treats are distributed in that a wooden stick is merely an elongated stick for grasping (there is no bottom flange 315 that extends radially outward as shown in FIG. 3). This lateral flange can be formed of a different material than the vertical stick. For example, the lateral flange can be formed of a plastic material or even wood and includes an opening that receives the vertical stick and a friction fit or a bonded fit can be established.

The retainer 322 comprises a circumferential ring 324 disposed about the proximal end 312 of the second section 310, wherein the circumferential ring 324 is configured to maintain the proximal end 312 of the second section in a fully open, drip-catching position after disengagement of the first section 304. This configuration catches drops of melted ice cream by maintaining a lateral separation distance between the ice cream itself and an aperture periphery defined by the circumference of the second section's open proximal end 312. The circumferential ring 324, according to one embodiment, can be made of a lightweight plastic material, while according to another embodiment the circumferential ring 324 is made of lightweight cardboard or it can be formed of a rubber material. The retainer 322 (ring 324) maintains its rigidity so that the second section 310, by default, it maintained in an extended, open configuration. In other words, the attachment (as by an adhesive) of a rigid plastic ring 324 to the top edge of the second section 310 acts as an extender that maintains the open shape of the top portion of the second section 310. This ring 324 thus prevents the top portion of the second section 310 from freely collapsing on itself and instead an oblong shaped opening can be maintained to catch any drips from the frozen treat. The ring 324 is thus preferably attached to the inner surface of the second section 310 at the top edge thereof.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the second section 410 of the no-drip frozen dessert package 400 having a retainer 422 in the form of a circumferential ring 424 at its proximal end 412. In the case of using rubber or a plastic with memory properties, the elasticity of these types of materials ensure that the ring 424 always remains open. The ring 424 can thus be formed of a memory polymer such that if it is compressed, the ring 424 springs back to the open position shown in FIG. 4. The ring 424 can be bonded (adhesively) to the inner surface of the section of the packaging.

It will also be appreciated that the ring 424 does not have to be a continuous complete circumferential structure. Instead, it can be in the form of two arcuate portions (U-shaped) that are affixed to the two sides of one portion (e.g., second section 110) of the packaging using conventional techniques, such as use of an adhesive. The two legs of each U-shaped structure are outwardly biased so that these two legs apply an outward force to the package ensure that the front and rear layers of the package remain separated and the drip chamber is created and kept open. The U-shaped structures can thus have spring like properties that push the package outwardly. A gap can thus be formed between the ends of the legs of the two U-shaped portions. In other words, the legs of the two U-shaped portions do not contact one another and terminate prior to the center of the packaging. The outwardly biased spring nature of the legs of each U-shaped structure flex outwardly to cause the packaging (second section 110) to remain open. Since two legs are affixed to one side wall of the packaging and two legs are affixed to the opposing side wall of the packaging, the outward flexing of the legs causes these two side walls to flex outward and remain open. This provides the drip collection space described herein. The two U-shaped structures can thus be disposed in the two opposing ends of the packaging. With reference to FIG. 4, the two U-shaped structures would thus appear as shown in FIG. 4 with the exception that a center portion of the continuous ring that is shown is removed to define two independent U-shaped structures (retainers).

Alternative constructions of the retainer are also possible. Referring to FIG. 5, the retainer 522 can be constructed of folded-back extensions 526 that are formed by folding back extensions of the second section 510 that project from locations about the proximal end 512 of the second section 510. The folded-back extensions 526 are then affixed to a side wall of the second section 510 (using an adhesive or the like), thus forming a retainer 522 that is sufficiently rigid and configured to maintain the proximal end 512 of the second section 510 in a fully open, drip-catching position after disengagement of the first section 504. Another alternative construction, shown in FIG. 6, has the retainer 622 constructed of rolled-back extensions 626 that are formed by rolling back extensions of the second section 610 that project from locations about the proximal end 612 of the second section 610. Either type of extension 526, 626 can be affixed to the side wall of the second section 510, 610 by an adhesive, or by partially melting each respective folded-back or rolled-back extension and respective side wall when brought into contact.

Broadly speaking, the present invention is directed to packaging having a rigid or elastic ring (like an O-ring) that is incorporated into the one half of the packaging for exerting an outward force on the package to ensure that the open top end of the one half at which the ring is present remains open and spread apart even when the other half of the packaging is separated and removed from the one half.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to adapt an instrument, situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A no-drip frozen dessert package comprising: a sealed containment envelope made of a flexible, lightweight material, the containment envelope comprising: a first section having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having an opening to accommodate a frozen dessert and the distal end remaining sealed; a second section having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having an opening to accommodate a frozen dessert and the distal end remaining sealed, wherein the respective proximal ends of the first and second sections are adjacent to one another and the respective distal ends are each disposed at a respective lengthwise extreme of the containment envelope; an interface where the respective proximal ends of the first and second sections are engaged; a release actuator disposed at the interface to disengage the first section from the second section to allow access to the frozen dessert for consumption, wherein the second section remains disposed around a portion of the frozen dessert; and a retainer configured to maintain the proximal end of the second section in an open, drip-catching configuration after disengagement of the first section.
 2. The no-drip frozen dessert package of claim 1, wherein the release actuator comprises a flexible elongate member that is affixed to the interface about the circumference of the containment envelope, such that the application of a small-amplitude force to a pull tab disposed at a non-affixed free end of the release actuator is effective to disengage the first section from the second section.
 3. The no-drip frozen dessert package of claim 2, wherein the first and second sections are engaged at the interface by an adhesive, and wherein the release actuator is affixed along the interface by an adhesive.
 4. The no-drip frozen dessert package of claim 2, wherein the first and second sections are engaged at the interface by partially melting portions of the respective sections that are in contact at the interface, and wherein the release actuator is affixed along the interface by partially melting the release actuator when in contact with the interface.
 5. The no-drip frozen dessert package of claim 2, wherein the first and second sections are engaged at the interface by an adhesive, and wherein the release actuator is affixed along the interface by partially melting the release actuator when in contact with the interface.
 6. The no-drip frozen dessert package of claim 2, wherein the first and second sections are engaged at the interface by partially melting portions of the respective sections that are in contact at the interface, and wherein the release actuator is affixed along the interface by an adhesive.
 7. The no-drip frozen dessert package of claim 1, further comprising: a projection integral to and extending from the distal end of the second section, wherein a frozen dessert can be frozen about and supported by the projection during consumption of the frozen dessert.
 8. The no-drip frozen dessert package of claim 1, wherein the containment envelope comprises a single piece of flexible, lightweight material; and the interface comprises a circumferential scoring or perforation dividing the containment envelope into first and second sections, wherein the circumferential scoring or perforation decreases the thickness of the containment envelope along the length of the scoring or perforation to facilitate disengagement of the first and second sections.
 9. The no-drip frozen dessert package of claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises a circumferential ring disposed about the proximal end of the second section, wherein the circumferential ring is configured to maintain the proximal end of the second section in a fully open, drip-catching position after disengagement of the first section.
 10. The no-drip frozen dessert package of claim 9, wherein the circumferential ring is made of a lightweight plastic material.
 11. The no-drip frozen dessert package of claim 9, wherein the circumferential ring is made of a lightweight cardboard.
 12. The no-drip frozen dessert package of claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises folded-back extensions formed by folding back extensions of the second section that project from locations about the proximal end of the second section, then affixing the folded-back extensions to a side wall of the second section, and wherein the retainer thus formed is sufficiently rigid and configured to maintain the proximal end of the second section in a fully open, drip-catching position after disengagement of the first section.
 13. The no-drip frozen dessert package of claim 12, wherein the folded-back extensions are affixed to the side wall of the second section by an adhesive.
 14. The no-drip frozen dessert package of claim 12, wherein the folded-back extensions are affixed to the side wall of the second section by partially melting each respective folded-back extension and side wall when brought into contact.
 15. The no-drip frozen dessert package of claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises rolled-back extensions formed by rolling back extensions of the second section that project from locations about the proximal end of the second section, then affixing the rolled-back extensions to a side wall of the second section, and wherein the retainer thus formed is sufficiently rigid and configured to maintain the proximal end of the second section in a fully open, drip-catching position after disengagement of the first section.
 16. The no-drip frozen dessert package of claim 15, wherein the rolled-back extensions are affixed to the side wall of the second section by an adhesive.
 17. The no-drip frozen dessert package of claim 15, wherein the rolled-back extensions are affixed to the side wall of the second section by partially melting each respective rolled-back extension and side wall when brought into contact.
 18. A no-drip frozen dessert package comprising: a sealed containment envelope made of a flexible, lightweight material, the containment envelope comprising: a first section having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having an opening to accommodate a frozen dessert and the distal end remaining sealed; a second section having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having an opening to accommodate a frozen dessert and the distal end remaining sealed, wherein the respective proximal ends of the first and second sections are adjacent to one another and the respective distal ends are each disposed at a respective lengthwise extreme of the containment envelope; an interface that divides the first section and the second section, the interface being constructed so as to be ruptured for separating the first section from the second section; and a retainer configured to maintain the proximal end of the second section in an open, drip-catching configuration after disengagement of the first section from the second section so as to define an open drip collection chamber. 